Sociology 354-80, Korgen

Welcome Letter for Social Stratification

Hello and welcome to Social Stratification!

This course provides an overview of stratification and growing inequality in the United States. In doing so, it examines the relationships among race, gender, and class. Students in this course are active participants in their learning. All students must be motivated to take part in online discussions. Requirements include completing assigned readings and keeping current with news events.

Expectations

Students will learn how 1) the United States is stratified economically, socially, and politically and the role of gender and racial/ethnic oppression in that system of stratification, 2) the system of stratification in the United States compares with that in other nations and 3) how their social class position impacts their life chances.

Texts

The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality (8th edition) by Dennis Gilbert, Pine Forge, 2010

Grading

Be sure to follow the directions for each discussion board and the papers! You MUST cite your book and use proper spelling and grammar. Methods of Evaluation: Discussion Boards 8% each (5) = 40% 11 multiple choice tests 3% each (11) = 33% Paper One = 13% Paper Two = 14%

You MUST use proper grammar and spelling in order to receive a decent grade!

The discussion boards and papers have clear and non-negotiable deadlines. Early postings and papers are welcome but late ones will not be accepted.

How to Access Blackboard:
To log on to Bb point your web browser to http://bb.wpunj.edu and click the Login button in the upper left. Then enter your username and password in the spaces provided and click login again -- you'll find your course Bb sites listed on the right.

Some things to be aware of as you work with Blackboard:

1. You probably won't find all your courses listed; the only ones that will appear are those that have been activated by the professor teaching the course. Professors who don't use Blackboard will not activate their courses.
2. Your username is comprised of your lastname and firstinitial, usually appended with a numeral. If you don't know your WPUNJ system username password you can use the Username lookup link at http://bb.wpunj.edu , or go to it directly at: http://www.wpunj.edu/username
3. If you are already logged in to the WPUNJ system through WPConnect you won't have to re-enter your username and password -- just click the first login button.
4. Blackboard documentation can be found in two places: at Bb Home, http://bb.wpunj.edu, before one logs in, and in the Blackboard Support tab after one has logged on.
5. You can always obtain Bb help by using the Problem Report form at http://bb.wpunj.edu , or by going to it directly at: http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/bb/sc/ .

WPUNJ Student Email:
To access WPUNJ Student Email point your web browser to http://wpconnect.wpunj.edu, enter your username and password, then select the Mail tab.  If you are logging on for the first time you'll be asked to set your time zone and language.

Blackboard courses will use student email; third-party email addresses will not work on Bb.

Good luck and have fun in the course! Dr. Kathleen Korgen